Will there be a consolidation of synthetic biology platforms going forward, or are partnerships the way of the future?

 Twist Bioscience and Ginkgo Bioworks have been at the forefront of 

developing and building SynBio platforms that can be used by many 

companies to tackle Bio projects of every kind in future.

It begs the question, is Ginkgo a takeover target for Twist or another 

company working to be the market leader in synbio technology? 

Twist Bioscience and Ginkgo Bioworks are both prominent players in the synthetic biology ecosystem, but they have distinct approaches:

1. Twist Bioscience:

   • Platform: Twist uses a silicon-based platform to synthesize high-quality, custom DNA.
   • Focus: They specialize in providing synthetic DNA for various applications.
   • Collaboration: Twist collaborates with organizations across industries, including vaccine manufacturing, food, flavor, fragrance, and even cannabigerol (CBG) development1.
   • Previous Agreements: They’ve had supply agreements with Ginkgo since 2017, delivering substantial quantities of DNA2.

2. Ginkgo Bioworks:

   • Platform: Ginkgo’s horizontal platform enables cell programming across diverse markets (food, agriculture, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals).
   • Use of DNA: Ginkgo uses synthetic DNA from Twist to rapidly prototype organism designs for their customers in fragrance, flavor, and food industries.
   • Growth: The recent four-year agreement expands Ginkgo’s commitment to purchase products from Twist, allowing access to more synthesis capacity for anticipated growth1.

In summary, Twist supplies DNA, while Ginkgo focuses on programming cells for various applications. Their collaboration drives innovation in synthetic biology

There is no information suggesting that Twist Bioscience plans to make an offer for Ginkgo Bioworks. However, Twist Bioscience and Ginkgo Bioworks have an existing collaboration. In April 2022, they signed a new supply agreement, expanding their partnership in the synthetic biology ecosystem.

 The four-year agreement includes an increased commitment by Ginkgo to purchase products from Twist, with the option to access significantly more synthesis capacity to meet Ginkgo’s anticipated growth.

 So, while there’s no specific acquisition offer, their collaboration continues to strengthen their positions in the field of synthetic DNA and cell programming.

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Index investing may have run it's course, but Smallcap Stocks may be a good alternative for a Retire Fund!

Earlier this summer we divested of our remaining Index Funds.

 Passive investing, I believe, has had a great run, but is at a turning point as stock markets swoon and a recession lurks around the corner.

SmallCap stocks however, have been neglected for some time and subsequently, good value can be had depending on where you look. 

Here are some small caps we like now, that trade on the Canadian Market (Toronto - TSE)

They all make profit, and some even pay a small dividend.  I believe they all have good upside!

Disclosure: we own all four of these stocks plus some other small and micro cap stocks now!

TSX.Money

SmallCap Stocks

Intrinsyc Technologies - manufactures a number of devices and nodes in the #IOT space, is profitable and pays a small dividend. Maybe a takeover target at some point!
 ITC on TSX

Bought more DHX Media Inc - Owners/Distributors of Children's programs like Peanuts (CharlieBrown Cartoons), InspectorGadget and many others - DHX on TSE

 

 

BevCanna produces a smooth, CBD infused, Green Iced Tea in it's GRUV line of Cannabis infused Drinks. With many more products on the way!   BEV on TSX

                                                  BevCanna.com

 

 

 

Did I mention we like profitable Smallcaps in this environment? Clearwater Seafoods of Halifax NovaScotia, Canada made $5 Mil last quarter and stands to benefit hugely from the trade dispute between China and the USA as it increased shipments to China this year.

 

 

Retire Fund Web Domains on Auction

You're #Investment Firm could own these premium Retirement Fund Web Domains

 

RETIRE.FUND  

 

RETIREFUND.COM

 

RETIREFUNDS.COM 

 

Bid now on these valuable DomainNames

 

Click on the Domain of your choice for more info

or to make a bid now!

 

 

Is your Retire Fund in jeopardy of a Stock Market reversal?

You have recently retired, or will retire in the next few years, but you are still heavily invested in the stock markets because that is where the growth has come from for the past 10 or so years.

Maybe you took a beating in 2008, or maybe you didn't start saving/investing until late in your career, and you feel you need a bit more!

 Maybe it's time you considered "solidifying" the investments you still have.

Paper profits are great, until a sudden reversal in stock prices occurs.  If that happens this year,(and this writer believes it will), then you may be left trying to decide to "stay in" to try and recoup your losses, or cash out with 20-50% less profit. If such an event occurs, it maybe a decade before you recoup those losses.

To this date the Nasdaq has returned, year to date, over 19%  "THAT" my friends is a great return on investment! The SP500 has returned almost as much YTD!  I sincerely do not believe that retirees or those nearing retirement, "will ever see" returns like this again!!!

If you are over 50 or need the money in your portfolio for retirement, if you cannot afford a downturn in stock prices (or bond prices for that matter see: Bonds) then maybe you should consider the wise advice of the foremost investor in modern history, Mr. Warren Buffett, who famously said:

Remember, "Cash" is also a Position and, at this juncture, it may be the best position!

How safe is the Corporate Bond Market for your RetireFund?

Bonds are Safe!  Bonds are where you put your money when stocks begin to swoon!

At least, this is the general consensus after 20+ years of a Bond bull market (and all the marketing info pumped into our heads by the investment community)

However, things have changed in the Corporate Bond Market, (and treasuries) and not for the good!

Besides al the talk of trade wars, and the coming worldwide Debt bomb, Investors already wary of a bubble in Treasuries should also be aware of what is going on in the "Corporate" Bond market now!

There are now over $52 Trillion dollars in Corporate Bond issues, over twice the amount there was in 2008 before the financial crisis. According to a recent Bloomberg analysis, "The duration of (those) $52 trillion of Investment-grade bonds now stands at 7"!

That means, if rates rise 1% these bonds would lose 7% of their market value. A 1/2 % point jump would be 3.5% or a 1.8 Billion dollar loss.

With interest rates near all time lows, after a 20 year bond bull market, it maybe time now to re-evaluate your bond positions, especially if you are nearing retirement.

 Also, if you are considering the U.S. Treasury bond funds, then consider this chart AND the fact that all funds charge a fee, every single year, to hold them.

No one, especially this writer, has a crystal ball, however, if you are in or approaching retirement, in the USA or Canada, then you should pay attention to these developments.

Oh yes, pay down and pay off your own debts. Your Retire Fund will thank you for it!